Australian Flying Saucer Review - 1966 07 - no 5 VFSRS

Magazine Overview

Title: AUSTRALIAN flying saucer REVIEW
Issue: No. 5
Volume: Victorian Edition
Date: July 1966
Publisher: Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society
Price: 40¢

Cover Story

The cover features a grainy photograph of a dark, possibly disc-shaped object in the sky above a blurry structure. The main headline announces: "V.F.S.R.S. MEMBER SNAPS A UFO." The story is indicated to be on Page 2.

Editorial: The Menace of Preconceptions in Ufology

The editorial addresses a recent public meeting where an Australian ufologist claimed that extraterrestrials would demonstrate the folly of water fluoridation. The author argues that this is irrational, as the existence of extraterrestrials is unproven, and even if they exist, there's no basis to assume they share human opinions on fluoride. The editorial highlights a significant problem in ufology: individuals attracted to the subject not for its intrinsic interest, but for vindication of their own preconceptions. This "religious crank" genus, and similar variations like the fluoride-minded ufologist, are seen as damaging the UFO cause through "unwary and unthoughtful utterances," potentially postponing the day when the possibility of extraterrestrial visitations is accepted.

V.F.S.R.S. Office Bearers and Subscriptions

The issue lists the office bearers of the Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society (V.F.S.R.S.), including Peter E. Norris (President), Judith M. Magee (Vice-President & Program Officer), and Sylvia Sutton (Secretary). Subscription rates are provided: Full Membership ($4.20 per annum) and Pensioners & Juniors ($2.10 per annum), both including the magazine. A single copy costs 40¢ plus 4¢ postage. The society welcomes articles, letters, and news clippings and provides a P.O. Box address in Moorabbin, Victoria, for communications.

Article: V.F.S.R.S. Member Snaps a UFO

This section details a polaroid colour photograph of a UFO taken on Saturday, April 2nd, by a V.F.S.R.S. member in Balwyn, Victoria. The member described the incident: the garden was suddenly lit up as if by a reflection from a huge mirror. He saw a bright, shining object, about 20-25 feet in diameter and 120 feet up, resembling a big mushroom with a stalk. The object spun 180 degrees on its vertical axis, then another 180 degrees on its horizontal axis. It then shot off northwards at terrific speed. Seconds later, a boom, like a sound barrier breaking, was heard. The photograph shows a pink shading on the bottom part, possibly a reflection of pink roof tiles. The article notes that analyses by photographic experts will be published later. A black and white reproduction of the polaroid photograph is included.

Article: The Tully "Nests": How Freakish Can Whirlwinds Be?

This article, written by a member connected with atmospheric sciences, examines the Tully "nests" phenomenon as an example of curiosity in scientific exploration. It investigates whether these circular patterns in reeds can be explained by atmospheric processes. Observations include soil samples being tested (inconclusive for radioactivity) and photographs of a 30-foot diameter "nest" showing reeds bent below water level, dead, and swirled clockwise. The water hole was 4-5 feet deep. Evidence suggests a force sucked roots up cleanly, leaving the lagoon floor smooth, ruling out reed-eating grubs as a cause. The author considers the possibility of "wet" or "dry" whirlwinds occurring on the night of January 18th-19th, 1966, with strong updraughts and high intensity suction. The article discusses the vital statistics of severe local wind storms in tropical Australia, their frequency, time of year, and accompanying weather. It also details the width and length of tornado paths and wind speeds, citing data from the U.S. Weather Bureau and R.H. Clarke. The phenomenon of water being drawn up by whirlwinds is mentioned, along with a tornado case in Marion, Mississippi, that caused significant ground damage by suction. The article concludes that while some evidence supports a whirlwind hypothesis, the dead appearance of the reeds and lack of debris outside the perimeter make it untenable, leaving the phenomenon unexplained.

Article: Road Death Caused by UFO?

This section reports on a fatal accident involving a 19-year-old driver on the Bendigo-St. Arnaud Road. A local builder, Mr. Ronald Sullivan, reported that on the Monday after the accident, his car's headlights were diverted to the right for no apparent reason. He then saw gaseous lights of various colours in a paddock, rising about ten feet in the air before disappearing. He found a circular depression in the ground, approximately four feet in diameter and six inches deep, where the lights had been. The V.F.S.R.S. investigators found his account extraordinary, as diverting light waves in such a manner is theoretically impossible, but they did not doubt his sincerity.

The Clayton Calendar

This is a short piece featuring drawings of flying saucers by pupils of Grade 6C-5C, S.S. 4747, Clayton. One drawing is captioned "As I was saying children, flying saucers do not exist."

Scoop! Flying Saucer Over Westall

A student recounts witnessing a silvery object flying around pine trees and over a field near their school in Westall. Several private aircraft, including Cessnas, were seen approaching the object. The object tilted, moved into the distance, and gained height, streaking away from the planes. The object was described as silvery, as long as a Cessna but very thin.

UFO Convention Announcement

An announcement for the next UFO Convention to be held in Adelaide, South Australia, on October 8th and 9th of the year.

Reader's Secret Snap Of Wilcannia Saucer

This article discusses a 10-year-old photograph of a flying saucer taken near Wilcannia in 1956 by a friend of John Gregory. The object was described as oval-shaped like a streetlamp reflector with a turret and portholes, and four ball-like objects underneath. The friend had his film confiscated by the RAAF. John Gregory later saw a similar object and his description matched the photograph, raising questions about "space balls" found in the Tibbooburra region.

UFOs Seen in Tasmania

Mr. I. D. McLaren, president of the Tasmanian Unidentified Flying Objects Investigation Centre (T.U.F.O.I.C.), reported that 30 sightings of unidentified flying objects had been made in Tasmania in six months. Eight of these sightings were considered reliable and could not be reconciled with known phenomena. The centre aims to encourage people to report sightings without fear of ridicule.

Article: Flying Saucers Have Landed Around Here - And Locals Have Photographed Them

This article details reports from Grafton and Broken Hill. In Grafton, two policemen reportedly chased a strange object. In Broken Hill, John Gregory and Kevin Power photographed a UFO described as similar to the Wilcannia saucer. The object was about 20 feet in diameter, made of a satin-finish stainless steel-like metal, with a turret and portholes, and four ball-like objects underneath. It hovered motionless before streaking away. Kevin Power's film was confiscated by the Air Force.

Aussie Saucer Probe By U.S.

The Pentagon is investigating photographs of an Australian "flying saucer" taken by Mr. Leslie Benedek, a handbag manufacturer from Newtown. The photographs were requested during a U.S. Senate investigation into unidentified flying objects. Mr. Benedek described the object as bluish-green, oval-shaped with an antenna, and descending at terrific speed.

Sky-Gazers Must Fight

Mrs. Judith Magee, vice-president of the Melbourne V.F.S.R.S., expresses frustration with government and RAAF officials for dismissing UFO sightings as balloons or satellites. She believes secrecy is maintained due to fear of public panic, but argues that visitors, if hostile, would have invaded centuries ago.

30 U.F.Os Seen in Tasmania

This short piece reiterates the report of 30 UFO sightings in Tasmania over six months, with eight considered reliable and inexplicable by known phenomena. Mr. P. Norris of the Commonwealth Aerial Phenomena Investigation Organisation addressed a meeting, noting that some photographs are faked but others are authentic.

Book Review: Paul Thomas: Flying Saucers Through The Ages

Reviewed by W. B. Gill, this book is criticized for its lack of logical discussion and its title not matching its content. The reviewer finds the author's approach inadequate and irritating, particularly his handling of theological and historical subjects.

Book Review: UFO's Over Australia

Reviewed by Peter Norris, this book by James Holledge is described as a reasonable compilation of Australian sightings but is criticized for venturing into controversial fields with irrelevant and irrational arguments, particularly regarding contactees like Adamski and Allingham. The reviewer notes the book's partiality towards Adamski and the omission of the NICAP investigation into the Kansas City train incident.

UFO "Flap" In South East Victoria

This section includes a letter from Mr. Dan Haylock reporting sightings of lights near Bairnsdale, including pulsating green lights and an object that affected a car's performance. Mrs. Martin reported a silvery object affecting her car's normal functioning.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include photographic evidence of UFOs, investigations into sightings, the role of atmospheric phenomena as potential explanations, and the perceived secrecy and dismissal of UFO reports by official bodies. The editorial stance, as expressed in the main editorial, is critical of ufologists who let their preconceptions overshadow objective inquiry, while acknowledging the growing interest in UFOs and the need for serious investigation. The magazine itself aims to collate and disseminate information, welcoming contributions but clarifying that published material does not necessarily reflect the society's policy.

This document is a "STOP PRESS" announcement, likely from a magazine issue dated December 1965, but with a cover date or report date of June 5th, 1966. It discusses UFO activity and government responses.

UFO Reports and Government Cooperation

The "STOP PRESS" section details a report from the Perth Sunday Times and Weekend News on June 5th, 1966, concerning the Royal Australian Air Force (R.A.A.F.) and the United States Air Force (U.S.A.F.) seeking information about a UFO photograph. This photograph had been published in the April 18th, 1966 edition of Life International, causing significant public interest.

The article highlights that this is not an isolated instance of governments cooperating on UFO details. It references letters from the R.A.A.F. within the society's files that admit to co-operation with other governments, including the United States, regarding UFO encounters.

This cooperation appears to contradict a statement made by Secretary Brown during Congressional hearings on Unidentified Flying Objects. When Congressman Lucian N. Nedz of Michigan inquired if the U.S. Air Force and foreign countries coordinated their UFO reports, Secretary Brown reportedly stated, "NEITHER THE U.S. NOR FOREIGN NATIONS HAD ANY UFO INFORMATION TO EXCHANGE."

Index of UFO Activity (Table III)

The document includes a reprint of "Table III - Index of UFO Activity," originally from an article by Jacques Vallee titled "The Analysis of U.F.O. Activity," which appeared in the December 1965 issue. This table categorizes UFO sightings by 'TYPE' (1 through 6) and 'CLASS' (A through D), along with a 'WEIGHT' assigned to each sighting. The table also includes columns for '+' , 'BLANK', and '=' values, which are not fully explained but seem to relate to the analysis system.

A note accompanying the table explains the system's methodology: "OBSERVE THAT WHEN THIS SYSTEM IS USED ALL SIGHTINGS OF TYPE 6 AND MOST OF TYPE 5 VANISH FROM THE ANALYSIS. SIMILARLY, ALL POOR REPORTS (WEIGHTS AND ) HAVE LITTLE OR NO CONTRIBUTION TO THE EVALUATED 'ACTIVITY'. NOTES ARE GIVEN FROM O TO 10."

This indicates that the index is designed to filter out less significant or poorly documented sightings, focusing on those with higher reported weights and classifications.

Editorial Stance and Themes

The "STOP PRESS" nature of the announcement suggests an urgent update or revelation. The juxtaposition of the Perth UFO photo report and the conflicting statement from Secretary Brown implies an editorial stance critical of government transparency or potentially revealing a hidden truth about UFO information sharing. The inclusion of Jacques Vallee's analytical table further supports a theme of scientific or systematic investigation into UFO phenomena.

Recurring themes include government secrecy, international cooperation (or lack thereof) on UFO matters, and the systematic analysis of UFO sightings.